FDR’s Radical Thanksgiving: How One President Changed a National Holiday Forever
Thanksgiving: a cherished American tradition, a day of gratitude, family, and feasting, inextricably linked to late November. But imagine a time when this beloved holiday wasn’t a fixed date, a time when presidents moved it on a whim, or even forgot it entirely! While figures like Andrew Johnson famously (or infamously) almost overlooked the proclamation, it was President Franklin D. Roosevelt whose controversial decision during the Great Depression sparked a nationwide uproar, leaving an indelible mark on Thanksgiving history and forever changing how we celebrate.
A Shifting Feast: Thanksgiving’s Early Years
Before 1941, Thanksgiving was a truly “floating” holiday. Its observation depended entirely on the sitting president’s decree. George Washington set the precedent in 1789, declaring November 26th as a day of “public thanksgiving.” Other early presidents followed suit, though often with varying dates. Thomas Jefferson famously abstained from issuing a proclamation, citing concerns about government endorsement of religious activity – a crucial moment in the development of the separation of church and state. James Madison, less concerned with such reservations, proclaimed the holiday multiple times on different dates.
Sarah Hale’s Crusade and Lincoln’s Legacy
The push for a consistent Thanksgiving date came largely from Sarah Josepha Hale, a tireless editor who campaigned for 36 years. Her relentless letters to governors and presidents finally paid off. In 1863, amidst the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, moved by Hale’s efforts and seeking to unite a divided nation, proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November. This became the standard for nearly eight decades, cementing a cherished American tradition, a decision widely celebrated and accepted across the nation. You can explore more about her efforts through resources like the Library of Congress.
The Great Depression and FDR’s Bold Move
Fast forward to 1939. America was deep in the throes of the Great Depression. With the Christmas shopping season serving as a crucial economic boost, retailers appealed to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They argued that a later Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday that year fell on November 30th) cut short the vital retail period between the two holidays, hindering recovery efforts. In a bold and unprecedented move, FDR declared that Thanksgiving would be celebrated a week earlier, on the third Thursday of November. This strategic shift aimed to extend the holiday shopping window, boost consumer spending, and provide a much-needed stimulus to the struggling economy. This move, known as the Roosevelt Thanksgiving controversy, was intended to alleviate financial strain.
“Franksgiving” Furore: A Nation Divided
FDR’s Thanksgiving proclamation, intended to alleviate economic hardship, instead ignited a firestorm of controversy. Dubbed “Franksgiving” by critics, the decision was met with widespread public outcry and a divided nation. Many Americans, deeply attached to the established tradition, felt the president had overstepped his bounds. States were split: some adopted the new date, others clung fiercely to the traditional last Thursday, leading to chaotic holiday schedules where families might celebrate on two different days. News reports painted a vivid picture of the confusion and indignation, with Roosevelt himself reportedly “quite unprepared for the storm it kicked up.” He even joked that “it looked to me for a while as if New England would secede from the union!” This period of Thanksgiving date change highlighted the deep-seated nature of US holiday traditions.
A Permanent Date: The 1941 Congressional Act
The “Franksgiving” experiment continued for two more years, causing ongoing frustration. Recognizing the need for consistency and to quell the national debate, Congress took action. In 1941, it passed a joint resolution officially declaring the fourth Thursday of November as the legal federal holiday for Thanksgiving Day. This legislative act settled the matter once and for all, ensuring that no future president could unilaterally alter the date. This established the 1941 Thanksgiving law, solidifying the holiday’s place in the American calendar. You can review official documents and **Presidential Thanksgiving proclamations** through resources like the National Archives.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as a floating presidential decree to the dramatic “Franksgiving” controversy under Franklin D. Roosevelt, the history of Thanksgiving is a fascinating tapestry of tradition, politics, and economic forces. While FDR’s attempt to reshape the holiday for economic gain was met with significant resistance, it ultimately paved the way for the consistent, cherished celebration we know today. His actions, though controversial, highlight how deeply ingrained our holiday traditions are and the complex interplay between leadership and cultural practice. The legacy of FDR Thanksgiving reminds us that even our most stable traditions have dynamic and often surprising pasts.
